Visitors are heading to the Bahamas again after the islands took a major hit from Hurricane Dorian in early September. Carnival Cruise Line and other ships have already resumed port calls in Grand Bahama and the country’s tourism board says it expects flights between the island and Fort Lauderdale to resume in mid-November. Read more...

The large handmade doll sits in a locked plexiglass case at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida.

But is the secured case a protection for the one-of-a-kind doll? Or is it for the safety of visitors to this Key West attraction?

After all, this unusual figure dressed in a sailor suit is not an ordinary toy. Known as “Robert the Doll,” the century-old figure is said to be haunted and able to cast spells on those who cross his path. Read more...

My granddaughter Arianna just got half her Disney wish. When I told her that Disney Cruise line will be launching a new ship, I asked what she would suggest for a name.

“Wish,” she said without hesitation. “A Disney Wish, like ‘When you wish upon a star.’” Read more...

Legend says that pintxos began when an ailing Spanish king was forced to eat small amounts of food with wine to keep up his energy.

Folks thought that was a great idea and soon followed suit.

Since it is not uncommon in Spain to eat dinner very late, pintxos are a tasty appetizer and a chance to wind down and prepare for a leisurely late dinner. Read more...

My aim was terrible. Instead of flying into the far distance, the cherry pit I was trying to spit tumbled out of my mouth and rolled down to my feet.

So much for the cherry pit-spitting contest at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Hard to believe but the record for the best woman cherry pit spitter is 38 feet, 3 inches. For men, it’s 48 feet, 1 inch. Read more...

ABOARD THE GRAND CLASSICA: Will it be black pepper crusted ahi tuna or Atlantic salmon or stuffed chicken breast or boneless beef short ribs braised in Merlot?

Those who know me have no doubt what I chose.

Yep, it was the boneless beef short ribs braised in Merlot with creamy mascarpone polenta and root vegetables. Read more...

So it’s a bus. Why should a bus be in a big museum? What makes it so special?

Do you know the answer to this cruise trivia question?

A hint – This bus rolled the streets of Montgomery, Alabama, in the 1950s. The vehicle was almost destroyed before it was saved because of its historic significance. Read more...

Christopher Murphy didn’t hesitate when asked what he liked best about his two-night cruise aboard the Grand Classica.

“The bed in the wall,” he answered quickly. “That’s where I’m sleeping. The ship man said it is called a Murphy Bed. But it wasn’t named after me.” Read more...

Hanging from the rafters of this unusual church is a well-worn tool belt. In the left pocket of the tool belt is a candy wrapper.

“This church tells you more about our island than any other place on the island,” said a tour guide.

Of course, the tool belt tells a great deal about this isolated place, too, and the people who choose to live here. Read more...

Not able to take a week or more off work for a cruise? Don’t want to spend a ton of money for a cabin on a spiffy new ship?

The Grand Classica has a deal for you.

Launched in 1991, the ship joined Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line in April 2018. With 216 inside rooms and 430 ocean view rooms, along with two junior suites, the ship has a guest capacity of 1,680 and 590 crew. Read more...